Upgrading to a new operating system can be exciting, but sometimes the latest version introduces bugs or performance issues that make you want to go back to the old OS. If you recently upgraded your Mac to macOS Ventura and find that you prefer macOS Monterey, reverting is straightforward. Here are some quick answers about downgrading from Ventura to Monterey:
Can I revert to Monterey after installing Ventura?
Yes, you can downgrade and revert back to Monterey after installing Ventura. Apple makes it possible to revert to the previously installed macOS within a limited time frame.
How long do I have to downgrade back to Monterey?
You generally have up to two weeks to revert back to Monterey after installing Ventura. However, this timeframe depends on when you upgraded. The option to go back to Monterey disappears once too much time has passed since the upgrade.
What will happen when downgrading from Ventura to Monterey?
When reverting to Monterey, your Mac will be returned to the state it was in before you upgraded to Ventura. Any apps, files, settings, and configurations will go back to how they were in Monterey.
Will I lose any data when downgrading?
No, downgrading from Ventura to Monterey will not cause data loss. All your apps, files, photos, music, documents, and other data will remain intact.
Can I choose which data gets deleted when downgrading?
No, you cannot selectively choose which data gets deleted when downgrading from Ventura to Monterey. The downgrade process will save all your apps, files, and data. Nothing will be deleted unless you manually delete it yourself.
Will apps that came with Ventura be removed when I revert back to Monterey?
Yes, any apps that came bundled with Ventura will be removed when reverting to Monterey. For example, if you downloaded an app that was introduced in Ventura, that app will be deleted and no longer available after downgrading.
Will I lose any app data or settings when downgrading?
No, all app data, settings, preferences, and customizations will remain intact when downgrading from Ventura to Monterey. You will not lose any important app information.
Can I revert while keeping my Ventura files?
No, you cannot choose to keep any Ventura files when downgrading back to Monterey. The downgrade process will completely revert your Mac to the Monterey state, without any Ventura files remaining.
Should I backup my Mac before downgrading?
Yes, it’s always a smart precaution to fully backup your Mac before downgrading from Ventura to Monterey. Using Time Machine or another backup method lets you restore any lost or damaged files.
Will my Mac run slower after downgrading from Ventura?
No, your Mac should run at the same speed after downgrading from Ventura. Monterey’s performance will be on par with how it was before you upgraded to Ventura. There are no slowdowns associated with reverts.
Can I downgrade if I don’t have a Time Machine backup?
Yes, you can downgrade from Ventura to Monterey even without a Time Machine backup. The process is the same whether or not you have a backup. However, having the backup provides an extra safety net.
Will my Mac have less storage space after downgrading?
No, reverting from Ventura to Monterey will not reduce your Mac’s storage capacity. Available storage space will return to what it was when Monterey was installed originally. No storage is lost during the downgrade.
Can I reinstall Monterey from the App Store?
Unfortunately no, you cannot directly reinstall Monterey from the App Store after upgrading to Ventura. You will need to use the System Restore process to revert back to Monterey.
What options do I have if I miss the timeframe to downgrade?
If you miss the approximately two week window to revert to Monterey, your only options are to either do a complete Mac erase and restore from a Time Machine backup, or continue using Ventura and wait for future updates that may address your issues.
Will I still get security updates after downgrading from Ventura?
Yes, your Mac will continue receiving regular security updates from Apple even after you revert back to Monterey. However, you will no longer get feature updates or upgrades until you install a newer macOS version.
Can I downgrade to an older macOS like Big Sur or Catalina?
No, you can only downgrade to the macOS that your Mac was running immediately before the current installation. For example, you can go from Ventura to Monterey, but not from Ventura all the way back to Big Sur or earlier.
Will apps and services stop working after I revert to Monterey?
Most apps and services should continue working after downgrading to Monterey. However, any apps or features that require Ventura will no longer function after reverting back to Monterey.
Should I uninstall Ventura apps before downgrading?
No need to uninstall Ventura-specific apps before downgrading, as the revert process will automatically remove them. The downgrade will delete any Ventura apps for you.
Can I downgrade if I have the Ventura beta?
Yes, you can still downgrade from the Ventura beta back to Monterey. The same System Restore process enables reverting from any Ventura version, including betas.
Will my Ventura beta software be deleted when downgrading?
Yes, all Ventura beta software will be removed when reverting to Monterey. Your Mac will be restored to the stable Monterey release you had installed previously.
What is the step-by-step process to downgrade from Ventura to Monterey?
Here is an overview of the downgrade process:
- Connect your Mac to power source throughout process
- Backup Mac via Time Machine or other method
- Restart your Mac into Recovery Mode
- Launch System Restore from the Utilities window
- Select the backup of Monterey you want to restore
- Click Restore and confirm to downgrade
- Mac will reboot into Monterey when finished
How do I boot into Recovery Mode to downgrade?
Follow these steps to boot into Recovery Mode:
- Fully shut down your Mac
- Restart your Mac and immediately press and hold Command + R keys
- Keep holding keys until you see the Recovery Mode utilities screen
- If prompted, select your preferred Wi-Fi network
- Recovery Mode is now accessible from the utilities window
Where do I find System Restore in Recovery Mode?
In the macOS Utilities window of Recovery Mode, select the “Reinstall macOS” option. This will launch the System Restore tool to downgrade back to Monterey.
How can I verify Monterey was restored correctly?
Once the downgrade process is complete, you can verify you’re running Monterey again by going to the Apple menu > About This Mac. It should show macOS Monterey with the correct version number.
Will my Mac reboot normally after downgrading?
Yes, after the System Restore completes, your Mac will reboot back into Monterey as normal. You can start using your Mac like before after just a short configuration.
Should I restore apps and data from my backup after downgrading?
Since the downgrade maintains your files, there is no need to restore apps and data from backup after reverting to Monterey. Your Mac will already have your information intact.
Is it better to downgrade to Monterey or do a clean install?
For most users, downgrading from Ventura to Monterey is better than a clean install. The downgrade keeps all your apps, files, and settings. A clean install erases everything and starts fresh.
How long does the downgrade process take?
The System Restore downgrade typically takes 20-40 minutes to complete. Actual time varies between Mac models. Just be patient during the process.
Will I get a notification when the downgrade is finished?
No notification occurs when the downgrade completes, but you will see a progress bar in System Restore indicating status. Once finished, your Mac will automatically reboot back into Monterey.
Should I downgrade if battery life decreases in Ventura?
Yes, if your Mac’s battery life decreases significantly after upgrading to Ventura, downgrading back to Monterey can often resolve the battery drain issue.
What should I do if the downgrade fails mid-process?
If the System Restore downgrade fails part way through, restart and try the process again. If it fails repeatedly, you may need to erase your Mac and reinstall Monterey from a bootable USB or via internet recovery.
Can I still downgrade if I deleted the Monterey installer?
Yes, you can still downgrade even if you deleted the Monterey installer app after upgrading. The OS is stored separately from the installer for System Restore purposes.
Should I downgrade if Ventura crashes or freezes more than Monterey?
Frequent crashes or freezing when running Ventura is a good reason to revert to Monterey. The downgrade should restore system stability in most cases.
Can Apple Support help me downgrade from Ventura?
No, Apple Support representatives cannot directly assist with downgrading from Ventura to Monterey. However, they can walk you through the general System Restore steps.
Conclusion
Downgrading back to Monterey from Ventura is straightforward using the System Restore option in Recovery Mode. The process retains all your apps, files, and data. Just be sure to backup your Mac first and complete the downgrade within two weeks of upgrading. With some simple steps, you can easily revert and restore your Mac’s previous operating system.
| Version | Release Date | New Features |
|---|---|---|
| macOS Ventura | October 2022 | Stage Manager, Continuity Camera, Passkeys |
| macOS Monterey | October 2021 | Universal Control, AirPlay to Mac, Live Text |